Tottenham aim to beat Chelsea and Arsenal in £25m midfielder race as Man Utd star faces January exit

We begin Thursday's Premier League transfer rumour round-up with news of Manchester United defender Raphael Varane, and a potential return to mainland Europe. The 93-cap France international joined the Red Devils from Real Madrid in 2021, but has been at the centre of widespread speculation over his future in recent times.

Now Spanish outlet Sport have poured further fuel on those rumours by suggesting that Real manager Carlo Ancelotti sees the 30-year-old as a preferred option when it comes reinforcing his own defensive options in January. Intriguingly, however, Bayern Munich are also credited with an interest, with suggestions that a bid of £17.4 million could not only be in the offing, but also enough to convince United into a sale.

The 3AM Verdict: Varane has been in and out of United's starting XI this season, but the Red Devils should still think twice before letting him leave in January. Injuries have proven just how threadbare Erik ten Hag's squad is, and the only way that Varane's sale can be properly justified is if the money is reinvested to bring in a suitable replacement.

City close in on Echeverri

Elsewhere, Manchester City are said to be closing in on a deal to sign River Plate teenager Claudio Echeverri. The treble winners are understood to have entered the final stage of negotiations for the attacking midfielder, who will then stay with his current club for a further six to 12 months, as per journalist Gastón Edul.

It is understood that the transfer will cost around £19.6 million. Several other outlets have also echoed Edul's claims, with the general consensus being that an agreement will be reached in the coming days. River Plate will likely push for a sell-on clause to be included into any final arrangement.

The 3AM Verdict: You'd be forgiven for having never heard of Echeverri, but evidently if Pep Guardiola thinks he is up to scratch then he must be quite the player. The 17-year-old is already making an impression on the first team picture in Buenos Aires, and is a highly-rated Argentine youth international. One for the future, certainly, but one to be very excited about nonetheless.

Spurs plot Vermeeren raid

And finally, Tottenham are understood to be considering a £25 million swoop for teenage midfielder Arthur Vermeeren in January. The Belgian is currently on the books at Royal Antwerp, and despite being just 18 years of age, played a pivotal role in his side's first top flight title win in 66 years last season.

According to The Sun, Arsenal and Chelsea are also keen on the starlet, as are Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but Spurs could look to steal a march on their competitors by paying a considerable fee up front for Vermeeren before loaning him back to his current club.

The 3AM Verdict: Vermeeren is a wonderful young player, and whoever wins the race for his signature is going to nab themselves a superb talent for years to come. It is an admirable statement of intent from Tottenham that they believe they can pip some of Europe's absolute elite to the Belgian, and if he were to arrive in north London, he certainly has the feel of a player that Ange Postecoglou could work wonders for.